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Rosamond sat looking about the room.” — Frontispiece. 





LITTLE BUTTON ROSE 


BY 

LOUISA mAYLCOTT 

<4 

AUTHOR OF 

“ LITTLE WOMEN,” “LITTLE MEN,” “ JO’S BOYS,” ETC. 


Illustrate 


BOSTON 

LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 


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p l 



Copyright, 1887, 

By Louisa M. Alcott. 


Copyright, 1901, 

By John S. P. Alcott. 


, pUvo, ~/l£-va- 


JVL 8 tssa 



Mntbcrsttg Press 

John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U. S. A. 



LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 

“If you please, I’ve come,” said a small 
girl, as she walked into a large room where 
three ladies sat at work. 

One of the ladies was very thin, one very 
stout, and the youngest very pretty. The eld- 
est put on her glasses, the stout one dropped 
her sewing, and the pretty one exclaimed, — 

“ Why, it must be little Rdsamond ! ” 

“ Yes, I ’ve come ; the man is taking my 
trunk upstairs, and I Ve got a letter for Cousin 
Penelope,” said the child, with the sweet com- 
posure of one always sure of a welcome. 

The stout lady held out her hand for the 
letter ; but the little girl, after a keen look at 
the three faces, went to the old lady, who 
received her with a kiss, saying, — 

“That’s right; hut how did you know, 
dear?” 

“ Oh, Papa said Cousin Penny is old, Cousin 
Ilenny fat, and Cousin Cicely rather pretty ; so 
I knew in one minute,” replied Rosamond, in a 
tone of innocent satisfaction at her own clever- 


1 


2 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


ness, and quite unconscious of the effect of her 
speech. 

Miss Penelope hastily retired behind the let- 
ter, Miss Henrietta frowned so heavily that the 
gold-rimmed eye-glasses flew off her nose with 
a clash, and Cicely laughed outright, as she 
exclaimed, — 

“ I ’m afraid we have got an enfant terrible 
among us, though I can’t complain of my share 
of the compliments.” 

“ I never expected to find Clara’s child well 
mannered, and I see I was quite right. Take 
your hat off, Rosamond, and sit down. It tires 
Sister to lean on her in that way,” said Miss 
Henny in a severe tone, with no offer of any 
warmer welcome. 

Seeing that something was amiss, the child 
quietly obeyed, and perching herself in an an- 
cient arm-chair crossed her short legs, folded her 
plump hands over the diminutive travelling-bag 
she carried, and sat looking about the room with a 
pair of very large blue eyes, quite unabashed, 
though rather pensive, as if the memory of some 
tender parting were still fresh in her little heart. 

While Miss Penny slowly reads the letter, 
Miss Henny works daisies on a bit of canvas 
with pettish jerks of her silk, and Miss Cicely 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


3 


leans in tlie sofa-corner, staring at the new- 
comer, we will briefly introduce our small 
heroine. Her father was cousin to the elder 
ladies, and being called suddenly across the 
water on business, took his wife with him, 
leaving the little girl to the care of these 
relatives, thinking her too young for so long 
a journey. Cicely, an orphan niece who lived 
with the old ladies, was to have the care of 
Rosy ; and a summer in the quiet country 
town would do her good, while change of 
scene would console her for this first separa- 
tion from her mother. How she fared re- 
mains to be seen; and we need only add that 
the child had been well trained, made the com- 
panion of a sweet and tender woman, and was 
very anxious to please the parents whom she 
passionately loved, by keeping the promises she 
had made them, and being “ as brave as Papa, 
as patient and kind as dear Mamma.” 

“Well, what do you think of it, Missy?” 
asked Cicely, as the blue eyes came back to 
her, after roving round the spacious, old-fash- 
ioned, and rather gloomy room. 

“ It ’s a pretty large, dark place for a little 
girl to be all alone in ; ” and there was a sus- 
picious quiver in the childish voice, as Rosy 


- 


4 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


opened her bag to produce a very small hand- 
kerchief, evidently feeling that she might have 
sudden need of it if some one did not speak to 
her very soon. 

“ W e keep it dark on account of Sister’s 
eyes. When I was a little girl, it was n’t con- 
sidered polite to say rude things about other 
people’s houses, especially if they were very 
handsome ones,” said Miss Henny, with a 
stern glance over the eye-glasses at the young 
offender, whose second remark was even more 
unfortunate than her first. 

“ I did n’t mean to be rude, but I must tell 
the truth. Little girls like bright places. I ’m 
sorry about Cousin Penny’s eyes. I will read 
to her ; I do to Mamma, and she says it is very 
well for a child only eight years old.” 

The gentle answer and the full eyes seemed 
to calm Miss Henny’s wrath, for her size was her 
tender point, and the old house her especial 
pride ; so she dropped the awe-inspiring glasses, 
and said more kindly, — 

“There is a nice little room ready for you 
upstairs, and a garden to play in. Cicely will 
hear you read every day, and I will teach you 
to sew, for of course that most useful part of 
your education has been neglected.” 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


5 


“No, ma’am, I sew my four patches every 
day, and make little wee stitches, and I can 
hem Papa’s hank’chifs, and I was learning to 
darn his socks with a big needle when — when 
they went away.” 

Rosy paused with a sudden choke; but too 
proud to break down, she only wiped two drops 
off her cheek with the long ends of her little 
gray silk glove, set her lips, and remained mis- 
tress of herself, privately planning to cry all she 
liked when she was safely in the “nice little 
room ” promised her. 

Cicely, though a lazy, selfish young lady, was 
touched by the child’s pathetic face, and said in 
a friendly tone, as she patted the couch where 
she lay, — 

“ Come here, dear, and sit by me, and tell me 
what kind of a kitten you ’d like best. I know 
of a sweet yellow one, and two grays. Our 
Tabby is too old to play with you ; so you 
will want a kitty, I ’m sure.” 

“ Oh yes, if I may ! ” and Rosy skipped to the 
new seat with a smile which plainly proved that 
this sort of welcome was just what she liked. 

“Now, Cicely, why will you put such an 
idea into Rosamond’s head, when you know 
we can’t have kittens round the house for 


6 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


Sister to stumble over, not to mention the 
mischief the horrid things always do? Tabby 
is all the child needs, with her doll. Of course 
you have a doll ? ” and Miss Henny asked the 
question as solemnly as if she had said, “ Have 
you a soul ? ” 

“ Oh yes, I have nine in my trunk, and two 
little ones in my bag, and Mamma is going to 
send me a big, big one from London, as soon as 
she gets there, to sleep with me and be my 
little comfort,” cried Rosy, rapidly producing 
from her bag a tiny bride and groom, three 
seedcakes, a smelling-bottle, and a purse out 
of which fell a shower of bright cents, also 
crumbs all over the immaculate carpet. 

“ Mercy on us, what a mess ! Pick it all up, 
child, and don’t unpack any more in the parlor. 
One doll is quite enough for me,” said Miss 
Henny, with a sigh of resignation as if ask- 
ing patience to bear this new calamity. 

Rosy echoed the sigh as she crept about 
reclaiming her precious pennies, and eating 
the crumbs as the only way of disposing of 
them. 

“Never mind, it’s only her way; the heat 
makes her a little cross, you see,” whispered 
Cicely, bending down to hold the bag, into 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


7 


which Rosy bundled her treasures in hot 
haste. 

“ I thought fat people were always pleasant. 
I ’m glad you ain’t fat,” answered the little girl, 
in a tone which was perfectly audible. 

What would have happened I tremble to 
think, if Miss Penny had not finished the 
letter at that moment and handed it to her 
sister, saying as she held out her arms to 
the child, — 

44 Now I know all about it, and you are to 
be my baby ; so come and give me some sweet 
kisses, darling.” 

Down dropped the bag, and with a little sob 
of joy the child nestled close to the kind old 
heart that welcomed her so tenderly at last. 

44 Papa calls me his button-rose, ’cause I ’m 
so small and pink and sweet, and thorny too 
sometimes,” she said, looking up brightly, after 
a few moments of the fond and foolish cuddling 
all little creatures love and need so much Avhen 
they leave the nest, and miss the brooding of 
motherly wings. 

“We ’ll call you anything you like, darling; 
but Rosamond is a pretty old name, and I ’m 
fond of it, for it was your grandmamma’s, and a 
sweeter woman never lived,” said Miss Penny, 


8 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


stroking the fresh cheeks, where the tears shone 
like dew on pink rose-leaves. 

“ I shall call you Chicken Little, because we 
have Henny and Penny; and the girls and Tab 
downstairs can be Goosey-Loosey, Turk'ey- 
Lurkey, and Cocky-Locky. I ’ll be Ducky- 
Lucky, and I ’m sure Foxy-Loxy lives next 
door,” said Cicely, laughing at her own wit, 
while Miss Henny looked up, saying, with the 
first smile Rosy had seen, — 

“That’s true enough! and I hope Chicken 
Little will keep out of his way, no matter if the 
sky does fall.” 

“Who is it? A truly fox? I never saw 
one. Could I peep at him some time ? ” cried 
the child, much interested at once. 

“No, dear; it ’s only a neighbor of ours who 
has treated us badly, at least we think so, and 
we don’t speak, though we used to be good 
friends some years ago. It ’s sad to live so, but 
we don’t quite see how to help it yet. We are 
ready to do our part; but Mr. Dover should 
take the first step, as he was in the wrong.” 

“ Please tell about it. I have horrid quarrels 
with Mamie Parsons sometimes, but we always 
kiss and make up, and feel all happy again. 
Can’t you, Cousin Penny?” asked the child, 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


9 


softly touching the little white curls under the 
lace cap. 

“Well, no, dear; grown people cannot settle 
differences in that pretty way. We must wait 
till he apologizes, and then we shall gladly be 
friends again. You see Mr. Dover was a mis- 
sionary in India for many years, and we were 
very intimate with his mother. Our gardens 
join, and a gate in our fence led across their 
field to the hack street, and was most conven- 
ient when we wanted to walk by the river or 
send the maids on errands in a hurry. The old 
lady was very neighborly, and we were quite 
comfortable till Thomas came home and made 
trouble. He ’d lost his wife and children, poor 
man, and his liver was out of order, and living 
among the heathen so long had made him mel- 
ancholy and queer; so he tried to amuse him- 
self with gardening and keeping hens.” 

“ I ’m glad ! I love flowers and biddies, ” 
murmured Rosy, listening with deep interest 
to this delightful mixture of quarrels and 
heathen, sorrow, poultry, mysterious diseases, 
and gardens. 

“He had no right to shut up our gate and 
forbid our crossing that little field, and no 
gentleman would have dared to do it after all 


10 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


our kindness to his mother,” exclaimed Miss 
Henny, so suddenly and violently that Rosa- 
mond nearly fell off the old lady’s lap with the 
start she gave. 

“No, sister, I don’t agree there. Mr. Thomas 
had a perfect right to do as he liked with his 
own land ; hut I think we should have had no 
trouble if you had been willing to sell him the 
corner of our garden where the old summer- 
house is, for his hens,” began Miss Penny in a 
mild tone. 

“Sister! you know the tender memories con- 
nected with that bower, and how terrible it 
would have been to me to see it torn down, and 
noisy fowls clucking and pecking where I and 
my poor Calvin once sat together,” cried Miss 
Henny, trying to look sentimental, which was 
an impossible feat for a stout lady in a flowery 
muslin gown, and a fly-away cap full of blue 
ribbons, on a head once flaxen and now gray. 

“We won’t discuss the point, Henrietta,” 
said the elder lady with dignity; whereupon 
the other returned to the letter, bridling and 
tossing her head in a way which caused Rosy 
to stare, and resolve to imitate it when she 
played be a proud princess with her dolls. 

“Well, dear, that was the beginning of the 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


11 


trouble, ” continued Miss Penny ; 44 and now we 
don’t speak, and the old lady misses us, I ’m 
sure, and I often long to run in and see her, 
and I’m so sorry you can’t enjoy the wonders 
of that house, for it ’s full of beautiful and 
curious things, most instructive for children to 
observe. Mr. Thomas has been a great travel- 
ler, and has a tiger skin in the parlor so natural 
it’s quite startling to behold; also spears, and 
bows and arrows, and necklaces of shark’s teeth, 
from the Cannibal Islands, and the loveliest 
stuffed birds, my dear, all over the place, and 
pretty shells and baskets, and ivory toys, and 
odd dresses, and no end of wonderful treasures. 
Such a sad pity you can’t see them! ” and Miss 
Penny looked quite distressed at the child’s 
loss. 

“ Oh, but I guess I will see ’em ! Every one 
is good to me, and old gentlemen like little 
girls. Papa says so, and he always does what I 
want when I say 4 Please ’ with my wheedulin 
smile, as he calls it,” said Posy, giving them 
a sample of the most engaging sort. 

44 You funny little thing, do try it, and soften 
the heart of that tiresome man! He has the 
finest roses in town and the most delicious 
fruit, and we never get any, though he sends 


12 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


quantities everywhere else. Such a fuss over 
an old earwiggy arbor! It is perfectly provok- 
ing, when we might enjoy so much over there ; 
and who knows what might happen! ” 

As Cicely spoke, she smoothed her brown 
curls and glanced at the mirror, quite conscious 
that a very pretty young lady of twenty was 
wasting her sweetness in the great gloomy 
house, with two elderly spinsters. 

“I’ll get some for you,” answered Rosy, 
with a nod of such calm conviction of her 
own power, that Cicely laughed again, and pro- 
posed that she should go at once and view the 
battle-field. 

“Could I run in the garden? I ’d love to, 
after riding so long,” asked Rosy, eager to he 
off; for her active legs ached for exercise, and 
the close, shady room oppressed her. 

“Yes, dear; hut don’t get into mischief, or 
worry Tabby, or pick the flowers. Of course 
you would n’t touch green fruit, or climb trees, 
or soil your little frock. I ’ll ring the bell for 
you to come in and be dressed for tea when it 
is time.” 

With these directions and a kiss, Miss Penny, 
as Cicely did not stir, let the child out at the 
back door of the long hall, and watched her 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


13 


Avalk demurely down the main path of the prim 
old garden, where no child had played for years, 
and -even the toads and fat robins behaved in 
the most decorous manner. 

“It’s pretty dull, but it’s better than the 
parlor with all the staring pictures,” said Rosy 
to herself, after a voyage of discovery had 
shown her the few charms of the place. The 
sight of a large yellow cat reposing in the sun 
cheered her eyes at that moment, and she has- 
tened -to scrape acquaintance with the stately 
animal: for the snails were not social, and the 
toads stared even more fixedly at her than the 
painted eyes of her respected ancestors. 

But Tabby disliked children as much as her 
mistress, and after submitting ungraciously to 
a few caresses from the eager little hands, she 
rose and retired majestically to a safer perch 
on the top of the high wall which enclosed the 
garden. Being too ]azy to jump, she walked 
up the shelves of an old flower-stand moulding 
in a corner, and by so doing, gave Rosy a bril- 
liant idea, which she at once put into action by 
following Tabby’s example. Up this new sort 
of ladder she went, and peeped over the wall, 
delighted at this unexpected chance to behold 
the enemy’s territory. 


14 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


“ Oh, what a pretty place ! ” she cried, clasp- 
ing her grubby little hands with rapture, as the 
beauties of the forbidden land burst upon her 
view. 

It was indeed a paradise to a child’s eyes, — 
for flowers bloomed along the winding paths; 
ripening fruit lay rosy and tempting in the beds 
below; behind the wire walls that confined 
them clucked and strutted various sorts of 
poultry ; cages of gay birds hung on the piazza ; 
and through the open windows of the house 
one caught glimpses of curious curtains, bright 
weapons, and mysterious objects in the rooms 
beyond. 

A gray-headed gentleman in a queer nankeen 
coat lay asleep on a bamboo lounge under the 
great cherry-tree, with a purple silk handker- 
chief half over his face. 

“ That ’s the missionary man, I s’pose. He 
does n’t look cross at all. If I could only get 
down there, I ’d go and wake him with a softly 
kiss, as I do Papa, and ask to see his pretty 
things.” 

Being quite unconscious of fear, Rosy cer- 
tainly would have carried out her daring plan, 
had it been possible ; but no way of descending 
on the other side appeared, so she sighed and 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


15 


sat gazing wistfully, till Cousin Henny ap- 
peared for a breath of fresh air, and ordered 
her down at once. 

“Come and see if my balsam-seeds have 
started yet. I keep planting them, but they 
won't come up,” she said, pointing out a mound 
of earth newly dug and watered. 

Rosy obediently scrambled up, and was try- 
ing to decide whether some green sprouts were 
chickweed or the dilatory balsams when a sud- 
den uproar in the next garden made her stop to 
listen, while Miss Henny said in a tone of great 
satisfaction, as the cackle of hens arose, — 

“ Some trouble with those horrid fowls of his. 
I detest them, crowing in the night, and wak- 
ing us at dawn with their noise. I wish some 
thief would steal every one of them. Nobody 
has a right to annoy their neighbors with 
troublesome pets.” 

Before Rosy could describe the beauties of 
the white bantams or the size of the big golden 
cock, a loud voice cried, — 

“You rascal! I’ll hang you if I catch you 
here again. Go home quicker than you came, 
and tell your mistress to teach you better man- 
ners, if she values your life.” 

“It ’s that man! Such language! I wonder 


1G 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


who he ’s caught? That bad boy who steals 
our plums, perhaps.” 

The words were hardly out of Miss Henny’s 
mouth when her question was answered in a 
sudden and dreadful way; for over the wall, 
hurled by a strong arm, flew Tabby, high in 
the air, to fall with a thump directly in the 
middle of the bed where they stood. Miss 
Henny uttered a shrill scream, caught up her 
stunned treasure, and rushed into the house as 
fast as her size and flounces permitted, leaving 
Rosy breathless with surprise and indignation. 

Burning to resent this terrible outrage, she 
climbed quickly up the steps, and astonished 
the irate old gentleman on the other side by 
the sudden apparition of a golden head, a red 
childish face, and a dirty little finger pointed 
sternly at him, as this small avenging angel 
demanded, — 

“ Missionary man, how could you kill my 
cousin’s cat?” 

“Bless my soul! who are you? ” said the old 
gentleman, staring at this unexpected actor on 
the field of battle. 

“I ’m Button-Rose, and I hate cruel people! 
Tabby ’s dead, and now there is n’t any one to 
play with over here.” 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


17 


This sad prospect made the bine eyes fill with 
sudden tears; and the application of the dirty 
fingers added streaks of mud to the red cheeks, 
which much damaged the appearance of the 
angel, though it added pathos to the child’s 
reproach. 

“ Cats have nine lives, and Tabby ’s used to 
being chucked over the wall. I ’ve done it 
several times, and it seems to agree with her, 
for she comes back to kill my chicks as bold as 
brass. See that! ” and the old gentleman held 
up a downy dead chicken, as proof of Tabby’s 
sin. 

“Poor little chicky! ” groaned Rosy, yearn- 
ing to mourn over the dear departed and bury 
it with tender care. “It was very naughty of 
Tab ; but, sir, you know cats are made to catch 
things, and they can’t help it.” 

“They will have to help it, or I ’ll drown the 
lot. This is a rare breed, and I ’ve but two left 
after all my trouble, thanks to that rascal of 
yours! What are you going to do about it?” 
demanded Mr. Dover, in a tone that made Rosy 
feel as if she had committed the murder herself. 

“I’ll talk to Tabby and try to make her 
good, and I ’ll shut her up in the old rabbit- 
house over here ; then I hope she will be sorry 
2 


18 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


and never do it any more,” she said, in such a 
remorseful tone that the old gentleman relented 
at once, ashamed to afflict such a tender little 
soul. 

“Try it,” he said, with a smile that made his 
yellow face pleasant all at once. Then, as if 
ready to change the subject, he asked, looking 
curiously at the little figure perched on the 
wall, — 

“Where did you come from? Never saw 
any children over there before. They don’t 
allow ’em.” 

Rosy introduced herself in a few words, and 
seeing that her new acquaintance seemed inter- 
ested, she added with the wheedling smile Papa 
found so engaging, — 

“It’s pretty lonely here, I guess; so p’r’aps 
you ’ll let me peep at your nice garden some- 
times if it does n’t trouble you, Sir? ” 

“ Poor little soul ! it must be desperately dull 
with those three tabbies,” he said to himself, as 
he stroked the dead chicken in his hand, and 
watched the little face bent toward him. 

“ Peep as much as you like, child ; or, better 
still, come over and run about. / like little 
girls,” he added aloud, with a nod and a wave 
of welcome. 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


19 


“I told ’em I was sure you did! I ’d love to 
come, but they would n’t let me, I know. I ’m 
so sorry about the fight. Could n’t you make 
it up, and be pleasant again?” asked Rosy, 
clasping her hands with a beseeching gesture as 
her bright face grew sad and serious remember- 
ing the feud. 

“ So they ’ve told you that nonsense already, 
have they? Nice neighbors they are,” said the 
old gentleman, frowning as if ill pleased at the 
news. 

“I ’m glad I know; p’r’aps I can be a peace- 
maker. Mamma says they are good to have 
in families, and I ’d like to be one if 1 could. 
Would you mind if I tried to peace-make a 
little, so I could come over? I do want to see 
the red birds and the tiger skin awfully, if you 
please.” 

“What do you know about ’em?” asked the 
old gentleman, sitting down on a garden chair, 
as if he did n’t mind continuing the chat with 
this new neighbor. 

Nearly tumbling oft the wall in her earnest- 
ness, Rosy repeated all that Cousin Penny had 
said; and something in the reasonable words, 
the flattering description, of his treasures, and 
the sincere regret of the old lady seemed to 


20 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


have a good effect upon Mr. Dover, for when 
Rosy paused out of breath, he said in such an 
altered tone that it was evident the peace- 
making had already begun, — 

“Miss Carey is a gentlewoman! I always 
thought so. You tell her, with my compli- 
ments, that I ’d be glad to see you any time if 
she has no objection. I ’ll put my step-ladder 
there, and you can come over instead of the 
cat. But mind you don’t meddle, or I might 
give you a toss like Tabby.” 

“I’m not afraid,” laughed Rosy. “I’ll go 
and ask right away, and I won’t touch a thing, 
and I know you ’ll like me for a friend. Papa 
says I ’m a dear little one. Thank you very 
much, sir. Good-by till I come again ; ” and 
with a kiss of the hand, the yellow head sunk 
out of sight like the sun going down, leaving 
a sense of darkness behind when the beaming 
little face disappeared, though fresh stains of 
green mould from the wall made it rather like 
the tattooed countenances Mr. Dover used to 
see among his cannibal friends in Africa. 

He sat musing with the dead chicken in his 
hand, forgetful of time, till a ring of his own 
door-bell called him in to receive a note from 
Miss Penelope, thanking him for his invitation 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


21 


to little Rosamond, but declining it in the most 
polite and formal words. 

“I expected it! Bless the silly old souls! 
why can’t they be reasonable, and accept the 
olive branch when 1 offer it? I ’ll be hanged if 
I do again! The fat one is at the bottom of 
this. Miss Pen would give in if that absurd 
Henrietta didn’t hold her back. Well, I’m 
sorry for the child, but that’s not my fault;” 
and throwing down the note, Mr. Dover went 
out to water his roses. 

For a week or two, Button-Rose hardly dared 
glance toward the forbidden spot from her win- 
dow, as she was ordered to play in the front 
garden, and sent to take sober walks with 
Cicely, who loved to stop and gossip with her 
friends, while the poor child waited patiently 
till the long tales were told. 

Nursing Tabby was her chief consolation; 
and so kind was she, that the heart of the old 
cat softened to her, and she actually purred her 
thanks at last, for all the saucers of cream, bits 
of chicken, soft pats, and tender words bestowed 
upon her by the little girl. 

“Well, I declare! Tab won’t do that even 
for me,” said Miss Henny, one day, when she 
came upon the child sitting alone in the hall 


22 


LITTLE BIJTTON-ROSE 


with a picture-book and the cat comfortably 
asleep in her lap. 

“Animals always love me, if people don’t,” 
answered Button-Rose, soberly; for she had 
not yet forgiven the stout lady for denying 
her the delights offered by the “missionary 
man.” 

“ That ’s because an-i-mals can’t see how 
naughty you are sometimes,” said Miss Henny 
tartly, not having recovered her temper even 
after many days. 

“ I shall make every one love me before I go 
away. Mamma told me to, and I shall. I 
know how;” and Button smiled with a wise 
little nod that was pretty to see, as she proudly 
cuddled her first conquest. 

“We shall see;” and Miss Henny ponder- 
ously departed, wondering what odd fancy the 
little thing would take into her head next. 

It was soon evident; for when she came 
down from her long nap, later in the afternoon, 
Miss Henny found Rosamond reading aloud to 
her sister in the great dim parlor. They made 
a curious contrast, — the pale, white-haired, 
feeble old lady, with her prim dress, high cap, 
knitting, and shaded eyes; and the child, rosy 
and round, quaint and sweet, a pretty little 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


23 


ornament for the old-fashioned room, as she 
sat among the tea-poys and samplers, ancient 
china and furniture, with the portraits of great 
grandfathers and grandmothers simpering and 
staring at her, as if pleased and surprised to 
see such a charming little descendant among 
them. 

“Bless the baby! what is she at now?” 
asked Miss Henny, feeling more amiable after 
her sleep. 

“I’m reading to Cousin Penny, ’cause no 
one else does, and her poor eyes hurt her, and 
she likes stories, and so do I,” answered But- 
ton, with one chubby finger on the place in her 
book, and eyes full of pride at the grown-up 
employment she had found for herself. 

“So kind of the little dear! She found me 
alone and wanted to amuse me ; so I proposed 
a story to suit us both, and she does very well 
with a little help now and then. I have n’t 
read ‘ Simple Susan ’ for years, and really enjoy 
it. Maria Edgeworth was always a favorite of 
mine, and I still think her far superior to any 
modern writer for the young,” said Miss Penny*, 
looking quite animated and happy in the new 
entertainment provided for her. 

“ Go on, child ; let me hear how well you can 


24 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


read;” and Miss Henny settled lierself in the 
sofa-corner with her embroidery. 

So Button started bravely off, and tried so 
hard that she was soon out of breath. As she 
paused, she said with a gasp, — 

“Is n’t Susan a dear girl? She gives all the 
best things to other people, and is kind to the 
old harper. She did n’t send him away, as you 
did the music-man to-day, and tell him to be 
still.” 

“ Organs are a nuisance, and I never allow 
them here. Go on, and don't criticise your 
elders, Rosamond.” 

“Mamma and I always talk over stories, and 
pick out the morals of ’em. She likes it;” 
with which remark, made sweetly not pertly, 
Button went on to the end, with an occasional 
lift over a long word; and the old ladies were 
interested, in spite of themselves, in the simple 
tale read in that childish voice. 

“ Thank you, dear, it is very nice, and we 
will have one every day. Now, what can I do 
for you?” asked Miss Penny, as the little girl 
pushed the curls off her forehead, with a sigh 
of mingled weariness and satisfaction. 

“Let me go in the back garden and peep 
through the knot-hole at the pretty roses. I 


LITTLE B U TTON-R OSE 


25 


do long to see if the moss ones are out, and the 
cherries ripe,” said Rosy, clasping her hands 
imploringly. 

“It can do no harm, Henrietta. Yes, dear, 
run away and get some catnip for Tabby, and 
see if the balsams are up yet.” 

That last suggestion won Miss Henny’s con- 
sent; and Button was off at once, skipping like 
a young colt all over the garden, which now 
seemed delightful to her. 

At the back of the summer-house was a nar- 
row space between it and the fence where cer- 
tain plump toads lived; peeping in to watch 
them, Rosy had spied a large knot-hole in the 
old boards, and through it found she could get 
a fine view of several rose-bushes, a tree, and 
one window of the “missionary man’s ” house. 
She had longed for another peep since the 
flower-stand was gone, arid climbing trees for- 
bidden ; now with joy she slipped into the damp 
nook, regardless of the speckled gentlemen who 
stared at her with dismay, and took a good look 
at the forbidden paradise beyond. 

Yes, the “moss ones” were in bloom, the 
cherries quite red, and at the window was the 
gray head of Mr. Dover, as he sat reading in 
his queer yellow dressing-gown. 


26 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


Button yearned to get in, and leaned so hard 
against the hateful fence that the rotten board 
cracked, a long bit fell out, and she nearly 
went after it, as it dropped upon the green 
bank below. Now the full splendor of the 
roses burst upon her, and a delightful goose- 
berry bush stood close by with purplish berries 
temptingly bobbing within reach. This oblig- 
ing bush hid the hole, but left fine openings to 
see through; so the child popped her curly head 
out, and gazed delightedly at the chickens, the 
flowers, the fruit, and the unconscious old gen- 
tleman not far away. 

“I ’ll have it for my secret; or maybe I ’ll 
tell Cousin Penny, and beg her to let me peep 
if I truly promise never to go in,” thought But- 
ton, knowing well who her best friend was. 

At bedtime, when the dear old lady came to 
give the good-night kiss, which the others for- 
got, Rosy, as Miss Penny called her, made her 
request; and it was granted, for Miss Penny 
had a feeling that the little peacemaker would 
sooner or later heal the breach with her pretty 
magic, and so she was very ready to lend a 
hand in a quiet way. 

Next day at play-time, Button was hurrying 
down her last bit of gingerbread, which she 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


27 


was obliged to eat properly in the dining-room, 
instead of enjoying out-of-doors, when she 
heard a sudden flurry in the garden, and run- 
ning to the window saw Roxy the maid chasing 
a chicken to and fro, while Miss Henny stood 
flapping her skirts on the steps, and crying, 
“ Shoo ! ” till she was red in the face. 

“ It ’s the white banty, and it must have 
come in my hole! Oh dear, I hope they won r t 
catch it! Cousin Henny said she ’d wring the 
neck of the first one that flied over the wall.” 

Away went Rosy, to join in the hunt; for 
Miss Henny was too fat to run, and Roxy 
found the lively fowl too much for her. It 
was a long and hard chase; feathers flew, the 
maid lost her breath, Rosy tumbled down, and 
Miss Henny screamed and scolded till she was 
forced to sit down and watch in silence. 

At last poor, hunted Banty ran into the arbor, 
for its clipped wings would not lift it over the 
wall. Button rushed after it, and dismal squalls 
plainly proclaimed that the naughty chicken was 
caught. 

Miss Henny waddled down the path, declar- 
ing that she would wring its neck; and Roxy 
went puffing after her, glad to rest. But the 
old summer-house was empty. No little girl, 


28 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


no ruffled bantam, appeared. Both had van- 
ished like magic ; and mistress and maid stared 
at each other in amazement, till they saw that 
the long -disused window was open, and a gleam 
of light came in from the narrow opening 
behind. 

“My patience! if that child has n’t crept' out 
there, and bolted through that hole in the fence ! 
Did you ever, Miss ? ” exclaimed Roxy, trying 
not to look pleased at being spared the distaste- 
ful task of killing the poor chicken. 

“Naughty girl!” began Miss Henny, when 
the sound of voices made both listen. “ Slip in 
there, and see what is going on,” said the mis- 
tress, well knowing that her stout person never 
could be squeezed into the small space between 
house and fence. 

Roxy, being thin, easily obeyed, and in a 
whisper telephoned what went on beyond the 
hole, causing Miss Henny much vexation, sur- 
prise, and at last real pleasure, as the child per- 
formed her little part in the mission she had 
undertaken. 

“Oh, please, it’s all my fault! I kept the 
hole open, Mr. Thomas, and so Banty died in. 
But it is n’t hurt a bit, and I ’ve brought it 
home all safe, ’cause I know you love your 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


29 


chickies, and Tabby ate lots of ’em,” said the 
childish voice in its most conciliatory tone. 

“ Why did n’t you fling it over the wall, as I 
did the cat?” asked Mr. Dover, smiling, as he 
shut up the truant fowl, and turned to look at 
the rosy, breathless child, whose pink frock 
bore the marks of many a tumble on grass and 
gravel. 

“It would hurt Banty’s feelings, and yours 
too, and not be polite. So I came myself, to 
make some pollygies, and say it was my fault. 
But, please, could I keep the hole to peep 
through, if I always put up a board when I go 
away? It is so dull in there, and so sweet in 
here! ” 

“Don’t you think a little gate would be 
nicer, — one just big enough for you, with a 
hook to fasten it? We ’ll call it a button-hole,” 
laughed Mr. Dover. “Then you could peep; 
or perhaps the ladies will think better of it, 
and show that they pardon my ill-treatment of 
Tabby by letting you come in and pick some 
cherries and roses now and then.” 

This charming proposal caused the little girl 
to clasp her hands and cry aloud, — 

“That would be perfully sp’endid! I know 
Cousin Benny would like it, and let me. 


30 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


P’r’aps she ’d come herself; she ’s so thin, she 
could, and she loves your mother and wants to 
see her. Only, Cousin Henny won’t let us be 
nice and friendly. S’pose you send her some 
cherries; she loves good things to eat, and 
maybe she will say yes, if you send lots.” 

Mr. Dover laughed at this artless proposal, 
and Miss Henny smiled at the prospect of a 
gift of the luscious black-heart cherries she had 
been longing for. Roxy wisely repeated only 
the agreeable parts of the conversation ; so noth- 
ing ruffled the lady’s temper^ Now, whether 
Mr. Dover’s sharp eye caught a glimpse of the 
faee among the gooseberry bushes, and sus- 
pected eavesdroppers, or whether the child’s 
earnest desire to make peace touched him, who 
shall say ? Certain it is that his eyes twinkled 
like a boy’s, as he said rather loudly, in his 
most affable tone, — 

“ I shall be most happy to send Miss Henri- 
etta a basket of fruit. She used to be a charm- 
ing young woman. It ’s a pity she shuts herself 
up so much ; but that sad little romance of hers 
has darkened her life, I suppose. Ah, well, I 
can sympathize with her ! ” 

Rosy stared at the sudden change in his man- 
ner, and was rather bewildered by his grown-up 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


31 


way of talking to her. But being intent on 
securing something nice to carry home, she 
stuck to the cherries, which she did under- 
stand, and pointing to the piazza said with a 
business-like air, — 

“There ’s a basket; so we might pick ’em 
right away. I love to go up in trees and throw 
’em down ; and I know Cousin Henny will like 
cherries ever so much, and not scold a bit when 
I take some to her.” 

“Then come on,” cried Mr. Thomas, relaps- 
ing into the hearty manner she liked so much ; 
and away he went, quite briskly, down the 
path, with his yellow skirts waving in the wind, 
and Button skipping after him in great glee. 

“ They actually are a-picking cherries, Miss, 
up in the tree like a couple of robins a-chirpin’ 
and laughin’ as gay as can be,” reported Roxy, 
from her peep-hole. 

“Rip off the rest of that board, then I can 
see,” whispered Miss Henny, quivering with 
interest now; for she had heard Mr. Dover’s 
words, and her wrath was appeased by that flat- 
tering allusion to herself. 

Off came the rest of the board, and from the 
window, half hidden in woodbine, she could 
now see over the bushes into the next garden. 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


82 


The peep-hole commanded the tree, and she 
watched with eager eyes the tilling of the 
basket to be sent her, planning the while a 
charming note of thanks. 

“Do look, Miss ; they are resting now, and 
she ’s on his knee. Ain’t it a pretty pic ter ? ” 
whispered Roxy, unmindful of the earwigs, 
ants, and daddy-long-legs promenading over 
her as she crouched in her mouldy corner, 
intent on the view beyond. 

“Very pretty! He lost several children in 
India and I suppose Rosy reminds him of them. 
Ah, poor man ! I can sympathize with him, for 
/too have loved and lost,” sighed Miss Henny, 
pensively surveying the group on the rustic 
seat. 

They were playing cherry-bob; and the child's 
laughter made pleasant music in the usually 
quiet place, while the man's face lost its sad, 
stern look, and was both gay and tender, as he 
held the little creature close, and popped the 
ripe fruit into the red, laughing mouth. 

As the last sweet morsel disappeared Rosy 
said, with a long breath of perfect content, — 

“ It ’s almost as good as having Papa to play 
with. I do hope the cousins m 'll let me come 
again! If they don’t, I think my heart will 



— Page 32,. 


“ ‘ Do look, Miss ! they are resting now.’ ” 






LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


33 


break, ’cause I get so homesick over there, and 
have so many trials, and no one but Cousin 
Penny ever cuddles me.” 

“Bless her heart! We’ll send her some 
flowers for that. You tell her that Mrs. Dover 
is poorly, and would like very much to see 
her; and so would Mr. Thomas, who enjoys 
her little niece immensely. Can you remember 
that?” 

“ Every word ! She is very nice to me, and I 
love her, and 1 guess she will be glad to come. 
She likes woss-roses, and so do I,” added the 
unblushing little beggar, as Mr. Dover took out 
his knife and began to make the bouquet which 
was to be Miss Penny’s bribe. He could not 
bear to give up his little playmate, and was 
quite ready to try again, with this persistent 
and charming ally to help him heal the breach. 

“Shall you send anything to Cis? You 
need n’t mind about it, ’cause she can’t keep 
me at home, but it might please her, and make 
her stop rapping my head with her thimble 
when I ask questions, and slapping my fingers 
when I touch any of her pretty things,” sug- 
gested Button, as the flowers were added to the 
fruit, making a fine display. 

“I never send presents to young ladies,” said 

3 


34 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


Mr. Thomas shortly, adding, with both hands 
out, and his most inviting smile, “ But I always 
kiss nice little girls if they will allow me ? ” 

Button threw both arms about his neck and 
gave him a shower of grateful kisses, which 
were sweeter to the lonely old man than all the 
cherries that ever grew, or the finest flowers 
in his garden. Then Miss Rosamond proudly 
marched home, finding no trace of the watchers, 
for both had fled while the “cuddling” went 
on. Roxy was soberly setting the dinner-table, 
and Miss Henny in the parlor breathing hard 
behind a newspaper. Miss Penny and Cicely 
were spending the day out, so the roses had 
to wait; but the basket was most graciously 
received, also the carefully delivered message, 
and the child’s heart was rejoiced by free per- 
mission to go and see “ our kind neighbor now 
and then, if Sister does not object.” 

Rosy was in great spirits, and prattled away 
as they sat at dinner, emboldened by the lady’s 
unusual amiability to ask all sorts of questions, 
some of which proved rather embarrassing to 
Miss Henny, and very amusing to Roxy, listen- 
ing in the china-closet. 

“I wish / had ’spepsia,” was the abrupt 
remark of the small person as her plate of 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


35 


drumsticks was removed and the pudding ap- 
peared, accompanied by the cherries. 

“Why, dear?” asked Miss Henny, busily 
arranging the small dish of delicate tidbits, 
which left little but the skeleton of the roast 
fowl for the kitchen. 

“ Then I could have the nicest bits of 
chicken, and heaps of sauce on my pudding, 
and the butteryest slices of toast, and all the 
cream for my tea, as you do. It is n’t a very 
bad pain, is it?” asked Rosy, in such perfect 
good faith that Miss Henny’s sudden flush and 
Roxy's hasty dive into the closet never sug- 
gested to her that this innocent speech was 
bringing the old lady’s besetting sin to light in 
the most open manner. 

“Yes, child, it is very bad, and you may 
thank your stars that I try to keep you from it 
by feeding you on plain food. At my age, and 
suffering as I do, the best of everything is 
needed to keep up my strength,” said Miss 
Henny, tartly. But the largest plate of pud- 
ding, with “heaps of sauce,” ’went to the child 
this day, and when the fruit was served, an 
unusually small portion was put away for the 
invalid, who was obliged to sustain nature with 
frequent lunches through the day and evening. 


36 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


“I ’m s’prised that you suffer much, Cousin 
Henny. How brave you must be, not to cry 
about it, and go round in horrid pain, as you 
do, and dress so nicely, and see people, and 
work ’broidering, and make calls! I hope I 
shall be brave if I ever do have ’spepsia; but 
I guess I shan’t, you take such care to give 
me small pieces every time.” 

With which cheerful remark Rosy closed that 
part of the conversation and returned to the 
delights of her new friend’s garden. But from 
that day, among other changes which began 
about this time, the child’s cup and plate were 
well filled, and the dread of adding to her own 
sufferings seemed to curb the dyspeptic's vora- 
cious appetite. “A cheild was amang them 
takin’ notes,” and every one involuntarily 
dreaded those clear eyes and that frank tongue, 
so innocently observing and criticising all that 
went on. Cicely had already been reminded 
of a neglected . duty by Rosy’s reading to Miss 
Penny, and tried to be more faithful in that, as 
in other services which she owed the old lady. 
So the little missionary was evidently getting 
on, though quite unconscious of her work at 
home, so absorbed was she in her foreign mis- 
sion; for, like many another missionary, the 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


37 


savage over the way was more interesting than 
the selfish, slothful, or neglected souls at 
home. 

Miss Penny was charmed with her flowers 
and the friendly message sent her, and to 
Rosy’s great delight went next day, in best 
bonnet and gown, to make a call upon the old 
lady “who was poorly,” for that appeal could 
not be resisted. Rosy also, in honor of the 
great occasion, wore her best hat, and a white 
frock so stiff that she looked like a little opera 
dancer as the long black legs skipped along the 
street; for this was far too grand a visit to be 
paid through a hole in the wall. 

In the basket were certain delicacies for the 
old lady, and a card had been prepared, with 
the names of Miss Carey and Miss Rosamond 
Carey beautifully written on it by Cis, who was 
dying to go, but dared not after Rosy had told 
her Mr. Dover’s remark about young ladies. 

As the procession of two paused at the door, 
both the young and the old heart fluttered a 
little, fol* this was the first decided step toward 
reconciliation, and any check might spoil it all. 
The maid stared, but civilly led these unex- 
pected guests in and departed with the card. 
Miss Penny settled herself in a large chair and 


38 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


looked about with pensive interest at the famil- 
iar room. But Rosy made a bee-line for the 
great tiger-skin, and regardless of her clean 
frock lay down on it to examine the head, 
which glared at her with yellow eyes, showing 
all its sharp teeth in the most delightfully nat- 
ural manner. 

Mr. Dover came in with a formal bow, but 
Miss Penny put out both hands, and said in 
her sweet old voice, — 

“ Let us be friends again for the sake of your 
mother. ” 

That settled the matter at once, and Mr. 
Thomas was so eager to do his part that he not 
only shook the hands heartily, but kept them in 
his as he said like an honest man, — 

“My dear neighbor, I beg your pardon! I 
was wrong, but I ’m not too proud to own it 
and say I ’m glad to let bygones be bygones 
for the sake of all. Now come and see my 
mother; she is longing for you.” 

What went on in the next room Rosy never 
knew or cared, for Mr. Thomas soon returned, 
and amused her so well, showing his treasures, 
that she forgot where she was till the maid 
came to say tea was ready. 

“Are we going to stay?” cried the little girl, 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


39 


beaming from under a Feejee crown of feathers, 
which produced as comical an effect upon her 
curly head as did the collar of shark’s teeth 
round her plump neck or the great Japanese 
war-fan in her hand. 

44 Yes, we have tea at five; come and turn it 
out. I ’ve ordered the little cups especially for 
you,” said her host, as he changed the small 
Amazon to a pretty child again and led her 
away to preside at the table, where the quaint 
china and silver, and the dainty cake and bread 
and butter proved much more attractive than 
the little old lady in a big cap who patted her 
head and smiled at her. 

Never had Rosy enjoyed such a delicious 
meal; for the rapture of pouring real tea out 
of a pot shaped like a silver melon, into cups 
as thin as egg-shells, and putting in sugar with 
tongs like claws, not to mention much thick 
cream, also spicy, plummy cakes that melted in 
one’s mouth, was too great for words. 

The little maid was so absorbed in her new 
duties that she never minded what the elders 
talked about, till the plates were empty, the 
pot ran dry, and no one could be prevailed on 
to have any more tea. Then she leaned back 
in her chair and remarked with an air of calm 


40 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


satisfaction, as she looked from one to the other, 
and smiled that engaging smile of hers, — 

“Isn’t being friends a great deal nicer than 
fighting and throwing cats over walls and call- 
ing bad names ? ’’ 

It was impossible not to laugh, and that 
cheerful sound seemed to tune every one to the 
sweetest harmony, while the little peacemaker 
was passed round as if a last course of kisses 
was absolutely necessary. 

Then the party broke up, and Mr. Dover 
escorted his guests to their own gate, to the 
great amazement of the neighbors and the very 
visible pride of Miss Button-Rose, who went 
up the walk with her head as high as if the 
wreath of daisies on her little hat had been a 
conqueror’s crown. 

Now that the first step had been taken, all 
would have gone smoothly if Cicely, offended 
because Mr. Thomas took no notice of her , had 
not put it into Miss Henny’s head that as the 
original quarrel began between her and their 
neighbor, it would not he dignified to give in 
till Mr. Dover had come atad begged pardon of 
her as well as of Miss Penny. This suited the 
foolish old lady, who never could forget certain 
plain words spoken in the heat of battle, though 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


41 


the kindly ones lately heard had much softened 
her heart toward the offender. 

“No, I shall not forget my dignity nor 
humble myself by going over there to apologize 
as Penelope has. She can do as she likes; and 
now that he has asked to be forgiven, there is 
perhaps no harm in her seeing the old lady. 
But with me it is different. I was insulted, 
and till Thomas Dover comes here and solemnly 
asks my pardon I will not cross his threshold, 
no matter what bribes he sends,” said Miss 
Henny, with an air of heroic firmness. 

But it did cost her a pang when her sister 
went every now and then to take tea with the 
old lady and came home full of pleasant news ; 
while Rosy prattled of the fine things she saw, 
the nice^ things she had to eat, and never failed 
to bring some gift to share, or to display to the 
exiles from Paradise. They ate the “bribes,” 
however, as they called the fruit, admired the 
pretty trinkets and toys, and longed to share in 
the mild festivities of the pleasant house over 
the way, but stood firm in spite of all Rosy’s 
wiles, till something unexpected happened to 
touch their hearts, conquer their foolish pride, 
and crown the little peacemaker’s efforts with 


success. 


42 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


One August afternoon Cicely was discon- 
tentedly looking over her small store of orna- 
ments as she made ready for a party. She 
loved gayety, and went about a great deal, 
leaving many duties undone, or asking the 
little girl to attend to them for her, neglecting, 
however, to show any gratitude for these small 
services so cheerfully done. 

As she sat tossing over her boxes, Button- 
Ilose came in looking tired and listless, for it 
was a hot day, and she had been out twice to 
do errands for Cicely, besides trotting busily up 
and down to wait on the old ladies while the 
young one put fresh ribbons on her dress and 
curled her hair for the evening. 

“ Could I lie on your sofa, please, Cis ? My 
head aches, and my legs are so tired,” said 
little Button, when her tap had been answered 
by a sharp “ What do you want, child ? ” 

“No, I ’m going to lie there myself and have 
a nap as soon as I ’m done here. It ’s cooler 
than the bed, and I must be fresh for to-night,” 
said Cicely, too intent on her own affairs to see 
how used up Rosy looked. 

“ Then could I look at your pretty things if I 
don’t touch ’em?” asked the child, longing to 
peep into the interesting boxes scattered on the 
table. 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


43 


“No, you can’t! I ’m busy, and don’t want 
you asking questions and meddling. Go away 
and let me alone.” 

Cicely spoke crossly, and waved her hand 
with a warning gesture, thereby upsetting the 
tray which held the beads of the necklace she 
had decided to wear for want of something 
better. 

“ There, now see what you ’ve done ! Pick 
up every one, and be quick, for I’m in a 
hurry.” 

“But I did n’t touch ’em,” began poor But- 
ton, as she crept about hunting for the black 
and white beads that looked like very ugly 
marbles. 

“Don’t talk; pick them up and then scamper; 
you are always in mischief! ” scolded Cis, vexed 
with herself, and the heat, and the accident, 
and the whole world just then. 

Rosy said no more, but several great tears 
dropped on the carpet as she groped in corners, 
under the bed, and behind the chairs for the 
runaways; and when the last was found she 
put it in her tyrant’s hand, saying, with a 
wistful look, — 

“I’m very sorry I troubled you. Seems to 
me if / had a little cousin, I ’d love to have her 


44 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


play with my things, and I would n’t be cross 
to her. Now I ’ll go and try to amoose myself 
with Bella; she is always good to me.” 

“ Run along then. Thank goodness that doll 
came when it did, for I ’m tired of ‘ amoosing ’ 
small girls as well as old ladies,” said Cis, busy 
with her beads, yet sorry she had been so pet- 
ulant with patient little Button, who seldom 
reproached her, being a cheery child, and 
blessed with a sweet temper. 

Rosy felt too languid to play; so when she 
had told Bella, the London doll, her trials, and 
comforted herself with some kisses on the waxen 
cheeks, she roamed away to the summer-house, 
which was cool and quiet, longing for some one 
to caress her; for the little heart was homesick 
and the little head ached badly. 

The “ button-hole ” had been made, the alley 
swept out, to the great dismay of the spiders, 
earwigs, and toads, who had fled to quieter 
quarters, and Rosy had leave to go and come 
when she liked if Mr. Dover did not object. 
He never did; and it was her greatest delight 
to walk in the pretty garden at her own sweet 
will, always with the hope of meeting its kindly 
owner, for now they were Arm friends. She 
had been too busy for a run there that day ; and 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


45 


now, as she peeped in, it looked so shady and 
inviting, and it seemed so natural to turn to 
her dear “ missionary man ” for entertainment, 
that she went straight up to his study window 
and peeped in. 

He too seemed out of sorts that hot after- 
noon, for he sat leaning his head on both hands 
at the desk strewn with piles of old letters. 
Button-Rose’s tender heart yearned over him 
at once, and stepping quietly in at the long 
open window she went to him, saying in her 
tenderest tone, — 

“Does, your headache, Sir? Let me soft it 
as I do Papa’s; he says that always makes 
it more better. Please let me? I’d love to 
dearly.” 

“Ah, my darling, I wish you could. But 
the pain is in my heart, and nothing will ever 
cure it,” sighed Mr. Thomas, as he drew her 
close and put his wrinkled yellow cheek to her 
soft one, which looked more like a damask rose 
than usual. 

“ You have trials too, l s’pose. Mine trouble 
me to-day, so I came over to see you. Shall I 
go away?” asked Rosy with a sigh and the 
wistful look again. 

“No, stay, and we will comfort each other. 


46 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


Tell me your troubles, Button, and perhaps I 
can help them,” the kind old gentleman said as 
he took her on his knee and stroked the curly 
head with a paternal touch. 

So Rosy told her latest grief, and never saw 
the smile that crept about the lips that asked in 
a tone of deep interest, — 

“Well, what do you mean to do to that un- 
kind Cicely?” 

“For a minute I wanted to slap her back 
when she tried to spat my hands. Then I 
’membered that Mamma said a kiss for a blow 
was a good thing, so I picked up the beads and 
planned to do it; but Cis looked so cross I 
could n’t. If I had a pretty necklace I ’d go 
and give it to her, and then maybe she ’d love 
me better.” 

“ My dear little missionary, you shall have 
beads to win the heart of your heathen, if that 
is all you need. See here ; take anything you 
like, and give it with the kiss.” 

As he spoke, Mr. Dover pulled open a 
drawer in the desk and displayed a delightful 
collection of pretty, quaint, and curious trinkets 
picked up in foreign lands, and kept for keep- 
sakes, since no little daughters of his own lived 
to wear them. 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


47 


“How perf’ly dorgeous!” cried Rosy, who 
often fell into baby talk when excited; and 
plunging in her hands, she revelled for some 
minutes in sandal-wood cases, carved ivory 
fans, silver bangles, barbaric brooches, and 
necklaces of coral, shells, amber, and golden 
coins, that jingled musically. 

u What shall I take for her? ” cried the little 
maid, bewildered by such a mine of wealth. 
“You pick out one, Mr. Thomas, that will 
please her so much, ’cause you never send her 
anything, and she don’t like it,” said Rosy, 
fearing that her own taste was not to be trusted, 
as she liked the shells and shark’s teeth orna- 
ments best. 

“No, I ’ll give you one, and you shall do as 
you like about giving it to her. This, now, is 
really valuable and pretty, and any young lady 
would like to wear it. It makes me think of 
you, my Button, for it is like sunshine, and the 
word cut on the little heart means peace.” 

Mr. Dover held up a string of amber beads 
with its carved amulet, and swung it to and fro 
where the light shone through it till each bead 
looked like a drop of golden wine. 

“Yes, that is lovely, and it smells nice, too. 
She will be so s’ prised and pleased ; I ’ll go and 


48 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


take it to her right away,” cried Rosy, forget- 
ting to ask anything for herself, in her delight 
at this fine gift for Cis. 

But as she lifted her head after he had fas- 
tened the clasp about her neck, something in 
his face recalled the look it wore when she first 
came in, and putting both hands upon his shoul- 
ders, she said in her sweet little way, — 

“You ’ye made my troubles go away, can’t I 
make yours? You are so kind to me, I ’d love 
to help you if I could.” 

“You do, my child, more than you know; 
for when I get you in my arms it seems as if 
one of my poor babies had come back to me, 
and for a minute I forget the three little graves 
far away in India.” 

“ Three! ” cried Button, like a sad, soft echo; 
and she clung to the poor man as if trying to 
fill the empty arms with the love and pity 
that overflowed the childish soul in her small 
body. 

This was the comfort Mr. Thomas wanted, 
and for a few moments he just cradled her on 
his hungry heart, crooning a Hindostanee lul- 
laby, while a few slow tears came dropping 
down upon the yellow head, so like those hid- 
den for years under the Indian flowers. Pres- 



u Poor Button fell asleep.” — Page 49' 



LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


49 


ently he seemed to come back from the happy 
past to which the old letters had carried him. 
He wiped his eyes, and Rosy’s also, with the 
big purple silk handkerchief, and pressing some 
very grateful kisses on the hot cheeks, said 
cheerfully again, — 

“ God bless you, child, that ’s done me good ! 
But don’t let it sadden you, dear; forget all 
about it, and tell no one what a sentimental old 
fool I am.” 

“I never truly will! Only when you feel 
sorry about the poor little babies, let me come 
and give you cuddlings. They always make 
people feel more better, and I love ’em, and 
don’t get any now my dear people are away.” 

So the two made a tender little plan to com- 
fort each other when hearts were heavy with 
longings for the absent, and parted at the small 
gate, both much cheered, and faster friends 
than ever. 

Rosy hastened in with her peace-offering, 
forgetful now of headache or loneliness as she 
sat patiently in the wide entry window-seat 
listening till some sound in Cicely’s room 
should show that she was awake. Before that 
happened, however, poor Button fell asleep 
herself, lulled by the quiet of the house, — for 

4 


50 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


every one was napping, — and dreamed that 
Mr. Dover stood waving a rainbow over his 
head, while several Indian gods and three little 
girls were dancing round him, hand in hand, to 
the tune of “Ring around a rosy.” 

A loud yawn roused her, and there was Cis 
peeping out of her door to see what time it was 
by the old-fashioned clock on the landing. Up 
scrambled the child, feeling dizzy and heavy- 
eyed, hut so eager to give pleasure that she lost 
no time in saying, as she swung the necklace in 
the sunshine, — 

“See! this is for you, if you like it more 
better than the thunder-and-lightning marbles, 
as Cousin Penny calls the one you were going 
to wear.” 

“ IIow lovely ! Where did you get it, child ? ” 
cried Cis, wide awake at once, as she ran to the 
glass to try the effect of the new ornament on 
her white neck. 

“ My dear Mr. Thomas gave it to me ; but he 
said I could give it away if I liked, and I want 
you to have it, ’cause it ’s ever so much prettier 
than any you ’ve got.” 

“ That ’s very kind of you, Chicken, but why 
not keep it yourself? You like nice things as 
well as I do,” said Cicely, much impressed by 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


51 


the value of the gift, for it was real amber, and 
the clasp of gold. 

“ YV r ell, I ’ve talked with Mr. Thomas about 
missionarying a great deal, and he told me how 
he made the savinges good by giving them 
beads, and things to eat, and being patient and 
kind to them. So I thought I ’d play be a mis- 
sionary, and call this house Africa, and try to 
make the people here behave more better,” 
answered Rosy, with such engaging earnestness, 
as well as frankness, that Cis laughed, and 
exclaimed, — 

“You impertinent monkey, to call us heathen 
and try to convert us ! How do you expect to 
do it?” 

“ Oh, I ’m getting on pretty well, only you 
don’t convert as quick as some of the savinges 
did. I ’ll tell you about it; ” and Button went 
on eagerly. “Cousin Penny is the good old 
one, but rather fussy and slow, so I’m kind 
and patient, and now she loves me and lets me 
do things I like. She, is my best one. Cousin 
Ilenny is my cannybel, ’cause she eats so much, 
and I please her by bringing nice things and get- 
ting her cushions ready. You are my baddest 
one, who is cross to me, and fights, and raps 
my head, and slaps my hands; so I thought 


52 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


some beads would be nice for you, and I 
bringed these beauties. Mr. Thomas gave ’em 
to me when I told him my trials.” 

Cicely looked angry, amused, and ashamed, 
as she listened to the funny yet rather pathetic 
little play with which the lonely child had tried 
to cheer herself and win the hearts of those 
about her. She had the grace to blush, and 
offer back the necklace, saying in a self- 
reproachful tone, — 

“ Keep your beads, little missionary, I ’ll be 
converted without them, and try to be kinder 
to you. I am a selfish wretch, but you shall 
play be my little sister, and not have to go 
to strangers for comfort in your trials any 
more. Come, kiss me, dear, and we ’ll begin 
now.” 

Rosy was in her arms at once, and clung 
there, saying with a face all smiles, — 

“That’s what I wanted! I thought I’d 
make a good savinge of you if I tried very hard. 
Please be kind to me just till Mamma comes 
back, and I ’ll be the best little sister that ever 
was.” 

“ Why did n’t you tell me all about it be- 
fore ? ” asked Cicely, smoothing the tired head 
on her shoulder with a new gentleness ; for this 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


53 


last innocent confession had touched her heart 
as well as her conscience. 

“You never seemed to care about my plays, 
and always said, 4 Don’t chatter, child; run 
away and take care of yourself.’ So I did; 
but it was pretty dull, with only Tabby to tell 
secrets to and Bella to kiss. Mr. Thomas said 
people over here did n’t like children very well, 
and I found they did n’t. He does, dearly, so 
I went to him; but I like you now, you are so 
soft and kind to me.” 

“How hot your cheeks are! Come and let 
me cool them, and brush your hair for tea,” 
said Cis, as she touched the child’s feverish 
skin, and saw how heavy her eyes were. 

“I ’m all burning up, and my head is so 
funny. I don’t want any tea. I want to lie 
on your sofa and go to sleep again. Can I ? ” 
asked Rosy, with a dizzy look about the room, 
and a shiver at the idea of eating. 

“Yes, dear, I’ll put on your little wrap- 
per, and make you all comfortable, and bring 
you some ice-water, for your lips are very 
dry.” 

As she spoke, Cicely bustled about the room, 
and soon had Rosy nicely settled with her best 
cologne -bottle and a fan; then she hastened 


54 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


down to report that something was wrong, with 
a fear in her own heart that if any harm did 
come to the child it would be her fault. Some 
days before Cicely had sent Button-Rose with a 
note to a friend’s house where she knew some 
of the younger children were ill. Since then 
she had heard that it was scarlet fever; but 
though Rosy had waited some time for an 
answer to the note, and seen one of the in- 
valids, Cis had never mentioned the fact, being 
ashamed to confess her carelessness, hoping no 
harm was done. Now she felt that it had 
come, and went to tell gentle Cousin Penny 
with tears of vain regret. 

Great was the lamentation when the doctor, 
who was sent for in hot haste, pronounced it 
scarlet fever; and deep was the self-reproach of 
the two older women for their blindness in not 
before remarking the languid air and want of 
appetite in the child. But Cicely was full of 
remorse ; for every quick word, every rap of the 
hateful thimble, every service accepted without 
thanks, weighed heavily on her conscience now, 
as such things have an inconvenient way of 
doing when it is too late to undo them. Every 
one was devoted to the child, even lazy Miss 
Henny gave up her naps to sit by her at all 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


55 


hours, Miss Penny hovered over the little bed 
like a grandmother, and Cicely refused to think 
of pleasure till the danger was over. 

For soon Button -Rose was very ill, and the 
old house haunted by the dreadful fear that 
death would rob them of the little creature who 
grew so precious when the thought of losing 
her made their hearts stand still. How could 
they live without the sound of that sweet voice 
chirping about the house, the busy feet tripping 
up and down, the willing hands trying to help, 
the sunny face smiling at every one, and going 
away into corners to hide the tears that some- 
times came to dim its brightness ? What would 
comfort the absent mother for such a loss as 
this, and how could they answer to the father 
for the carelessness that risked the child’s life 
for a girl’s errand? No one dared to think, 
and all prayed heartily for Rosy’s life, as they 
watched and waited by the little bed where she 
lay so patiently, till the fever grew high and 
she began to babble about many things. Her 
childish trials were all told, her longings for 
Mamma, whose place no one could fill, her 
quaint little criticisms upon those about her, 
and her plans for making peace. These inno- 
cent revelations caused many tears, and wrought 


56 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


some changes in those who heard; for Miss 
Penny quite forgot her infirmities to live in the 
sick-room as the most experienced nurse and 
tenderest watcher. Miss Henny cooked her 
daintiest gruel, brewed her coolest drinks, and 
lost many pounds in weight by her indefati- 
gable trotting up and down to minister to the 
invalid’s least caprice. Cicely was kept away 
for fear of infection, but her penance was to 
wander about the great house, more silent than 
ever now, to answer the inquiries and listen to 
the sad forebodings of the neighbors, who came 
to offer help and sympathy ; for all loved little 
Button-Rose, and grieved to think of any blight 
falling on the pretty blossom. To wile away 
the long hours, Cicely fell to dusting the empty 
rooms, setting closets and drawers to rights, 
and keeping all fresh and clean, to the great 
relief of the old cousins, who felt that every- 
thing would go to destruction in their absence. 
She read and sewed now, having no heart for 
jaunting about; and as she made the long ne- 
glected white pinafores, for Rosy, she thought 
much of the little girl who might never live to 
wear them. 

Meantime the fever took its course, and came 
at last to the fateful day when a few hours 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


57 


would settle the question of life or death. The 
hot flush died out of the cheeks that had lost 
their soft roundness now, the lips were parched, 
the half-shut eyes looked like sick violets, and 
all the pretty curls were tangled on the pillow. 
Rosy no longer sung to Bella, talked of “ three 
dear little girls ” and Mr. Thomas, tigers and 
bangles, Cis and necklaces, hens and gates. 
She ceased to call for Mamma, asked no more 
why her “ missionary man ” never came, and 
took no notice of the anxious old faces bending 
over her. She lay in a stupor, and the doctor 
held the little wasted hand, and tried to see the 
face of his watch with dim eyes as he counted 
the faint pulse, whispering solemnly, — 

“ W e can only hope and wait now. Sleep 
alone can save her.” 

As the sisters sat, one on either side the nar- 
row bed that day, and Cicely walked restlessly 
up and down the long hall below, where both 
doors stood open to let in the cool evening air, 
as the sun went down, a quick but quiet step 
came up the steps, and Mr. Dover walked in 
without ringing. He had been away, and com- 
ing home an hour ago, heard the sad news. 
Losing not a moment, he hurried to ask about 
his little Button, and his face showed how great 


58 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


his love and fear were, as he said in a broken 
whisper, — 

“Will she live? My mother never told me 
how serious it was, or I should have returned 
at once.” 

“We hope so, Sir, but — ” And there 
Cicely’s voice failed, as she hid her face and 
sobbed. 

“My dear girl, don’t give way. Keep up 
your heart, hope, pray, will that the darling 
shall live, and that may do some good. We 
can’t let her go! we won’t let her go! Let me 
see her; I know much of fevers far worse than 
this, and might be able to suggest something,” 
begged Mr. Dover, throwing down his hat, and 
waving an immense fan with such an air of 
resolution and cheery good-will that tired Cis 
felt comforted at once, and led the way upstairs 
entirely forgetting the great feud, as he did. 

At the threshold of the door he paused, till 
the girl had whispered his name. Miss Penny, 
always a gentlewoman, rose at once and went 
to meet him, but Miss Henny did not even 
seem to see him, for just then, as if dimly feel- 
ing that her friend was near, Rosy stirred, and 
gave a long sigh. 

Silently the three stood and looked at the 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


59 


beloved little creature lying there in the mys- 
terious shadow of death, and they so helpless to 
keep her if the hour for departure had come. 

“God help us!” sighed pious Miss Penny, 
folding her old hands, as if they did that often 
now. 

“Drifting away, I fear;” and Miss Henny’s 
plump face looked almost beautiful, with the 
tears on it, as she leaned nearer to listen to 
the faint breath at the child’s lips. 

“No; we will keep her, please the Lord! If 
we can make her sleep quietly for the next 
few hours she is safe. Let me try. Fan 
slowly with this, Miss Henrietta, and you, 
dear lady, pray that the precious little life may 
be given us.” 

As he spoke, Mr. Dover gave the great fan 
to Miss Henny, took the small cold hands in 
his, and sitting on the bedside held them close 
in his large warm ones, as if trying to pour life 
and strength into the frail body, as his eyes, 
fixed on the half-opened ones, seemed to call 
back the innocent soul hovering on the thresh- 
old of its prison, like the butterfly poised upon 
the chrysalis before it soars away. 

Miss Penny knelt down near by, and laying 
her white head on the other pillow, again be- 


60 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


sought God to spare this treasure to the father 
and mother over the sea. How long they re- 
mained so none of them ever knew, silent and 
motionless but for the slow waving of the noise- 
less fan, which went to and fro like the wing 
of a great white bird, as if Miss Henny’s stout 
arm could never tire. Miss Penny was so still 
she seemed to be asleep. Mr. Dover never 
stirred, but grew paler as the minutes passed; 
and Cicely, creeping now and then to look in 
and steal away, saw strange power in the black 
eyes that seemed to hold the fluttering spirit 
of the little child by the love and longing that 
made them both tender and commanding. 

A level ray of sunlight stole through the cur- 
tain at last and turned the tangles of bright 
hair to pure gold. Miss Henny rose to shut it 
out, and as if her movement broke the spell, 
Rosy took a long full breath, turned on the 
pillow, and putting one hand under her cheek, 
seemed to fall asleep as naturally as she used to 
do when well. Miss Penny looked up, touched 
the child’s forehead, and whispered, with a 
look of gratitude as bright as if the sunshine 
had touched her also, — 

“It is moist! this is real sleep! Oh, my 
baby! oh, my baby! ” And the old head went 


LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE 


61 


down again with a stifled sob, for her experi- 
enced eye told her that the danger was passing 
by and Rosy would live. 

“The prayers of the righteous avail much,” 
murmured Mr. Dover, turning to the other 
lady, who stood beside her sister looking down 
at the little figure now lying so restfully be- 
tween them. 

“How can we thank you?” she whispered, 
offering her hand, with the smile which had 
once made her pretty, and still touched the old 
face with something better than beauty. 

Mr. Dover took the hand and answered, with 
an eloquent look at the child, — 

“ Let not the sun go down upon our wrath. 
Forgive me and be friends again, for her sake.” 

“I will! ” And the plump hands gave the 
thin ones a hearty shake as the great feud 
ended forever over the bed of the little peace- 
maker whose childish play had turned to happy 
earnest. 






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